Selma to Montgomery 50th Anniversary Walking Classroom

National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior

Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail

Lowndes Interpretive Center 7002 U.S. Highway 80 W. White Hall, AL 36040 334-877-1983 phone www.nps.gov/semo

Selma To Montgomery NHT News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – December 17, 2014 CONTACT: Patricia Butts, patricia_butts@nps.gov, 334-727-6390

Selma to Montgomery NHT 50th Anniversary Walking Classroom White Hall, AL – The Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail will commemorate the events and people that led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 with activities throughout 2015. The “Walking Classroom” is the premier week-long event beginning Friday, March 20 – Wednesday, March 25, 2015. One hundred fifty (150) youth (ages 18-25) from the United States, its Territories and the counties along the historic trail will be selected to participate in this educational experience.

The "Walking Classroom" is literally just that, an exceptional learning opportunity where young adults walk the iconic 54-miles in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the historic voting rights march. The focus is our nation's future leaders, the youth of today soon to become the change agents of tomorrow. While retracing the historic footsteps and campsites during the day, participants will leverage the use of social media to chronicle their journey and experiences to share with peers around the country and the world. Because this is learning by immersion, young marchers will gain a greater appreciation for the physical and emotional toll such a trek took on marchers nearly 50 years ago and build an emotional connection in a way that reading or lectures cannot compare.

The “Walking Classroom" stands to be a memorable, life-changing experience where young people will call to mind not only the march for equality that occurred in Alabama half a century ago, but the continuing struggle for human rights that still continues today.

“Walking Classroom” applications are now being accepted. Applications and Marchers’ Guidelines are available online at www.nps.gov/semo and the following National Park Service units, Selma to Montgomery NHT, Tuskegee Institute NHS and Tuskegee Airmen NHS. All submissions must be received no later than Thursday, January 15, 2015.

Selected participants are responsible for transportation to and from the event’s Base Camp at the Lowndes Interpretive Center in White Hall, Alabama. Camping equipment, meals, snacks and water

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will be provided. Security will be provided by the National Park Service Law Enforcement Division and Base Camp Supervisors, 24-hours each day of the event.

Directions to the Sites: Selma to Montgomery NHT- Lowndes Interpretive Center From Montgomery, AL – Follow U.S. Hwy. 80 West 25 miles to White Hall, AL. The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located at 7002 U.S. Hwy. 80 West, in White Hall, AL. From Birmingham, AL – Follow I-65 South to Montgomery, AL. Turn off at exit 167 to U.S. Hwy. 80 West and travel 25 miles to White Hall, AL. The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located at 7002 U.S. Hwy. 80 West, in White Hall, AL. From Atlanta, GA – Follow I-85 South to Montgomery. Merge onto I-65 S. to exit onto U.S. Hwy. 80 West and travel 25 miles to White Hall, AL. The Lowndes Interpretive Center is located at 7002 U.S. Hwy. 80 West, in White Hall, AL. Tuskegee Institute NHS From Montgomery, AL – Follow I-85 North and travel approximately 32 miles to exit 32 (Tuskegee Institute NHS - Tuskegee University). Exit right onto Pleasant Springs Drive. Travel 4-5 miles following Tuskegee University signs to Franklin Road. Turn left on Franklin Road and travel 4 miles.

Turn left onto West Montgomery Road and take the next left at the first traffic light into the Tuskegee University campus gates. The Kellogg Conference Center is on the right and the George Washington Carver Museum is directly behind the Kellogg Center.

Parking is available in the parking deck behind the Kellogg Center. Take a right on the unmarked road just beyond the Kellogg Center. Enter the garage and park on the second level; take the breezeway across to the rear of the museum and follow path around to the front.

From Atlanta, GA - Follow I-85 South to exit 38 (Tuskegee - Notasulga). Turn left on Hwy. 81 South; travel approximately 4 miles. There are several curves in the road; continue to follow the signs for AL-81 South. Turn left on Main Street (Valero Gas Station). Turn right on West Montgomery Road, travel approximately 1 mile. Turn right at the second traffic light into the Tuskegee University campus gates. The Kellogg Conference Center will be on the right and the George Washington Carver Museum is directly behind the Kellogg Center.

Tuskegee Airmen NHS From Montgomery, AL - Follow I-85 North to exit 38 (Tuskegee Notasulga). Turn right on Hwy. 81; travel one mile. Turn left on Hwy. 81 South; travel one mile. Turn left on Chappie James Avenue (alternate route 81); travel ¾ mile to the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site Parking on left.

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From Atlanta GA - Follow I-85 South to exit 38 (Tuskegee-Notasulga). Turn left on Hwy. 81 South; travel one mile. Turn left on Chappie James Avenue (alternative route 81); travel ž mile to the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site parking lot on the left. www.nps.gov About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 401 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov.

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